Local News

Public Meeting Planned on Proposed Minerals Exploration near Flagg Mountain

May 09, 2014

A meeting to provide information on the proposed minerals exploration project in the Flagg Mountain area has been scheduled for Monday evening May 19 at 7:00 pm at the Winthrop Barn in Winthrop.

“We are in the in the process of gathering input about the proposal for minerals exploration,” said Methow Valley District Ranger Michael Liu. “This meeting is an opportunity to better describe the proposal to those who are interested and to talk about the statutory framework that the Forest Service operates under.”

The Forest Service is analyzing the proposal and potential mitigation to minimize environmental effects of activities associated with minerals exploration. The analysis is being done in response to a plan of operations submitted by Discovery Consultants to conduct minerals exploration in the Flagg Mountain area, north of Mazama Washington.

The proposal includes up to 15 drill sites with both a day and night operations. Holes would be drilled up to a maximum depth of 1900 feet using a drill mounted on skids. The drill would be transported to and from the area on a low bed trailer towed by a truck, and skidded between drill sites with a dozer.

The Forest Service intends to complete the analysis this summer, and drilling would begin in August 2014.

Exploration and development of mineral resources on federally-administered land is recognized in the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended and under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).

Questions or requests for additional information about the project should be directed to Laurie Dowie, Special Uses and Minerals Coordinator, at 509 996 4071 or ldowie@fs.fed.us.